Analysis This

We special education teachers are a different sort. People tell me all the time, "oh I could never do your job; it takes a special person." I'm not sure why that statement annoys me, but it does. I guess I figure we are all special, and there are MANY jobs I could never do. Anyhoo, kinda got of topic. Back to sped teachers being unique. It is a blessing and a curse, I watch my own kiddos very closely and see "issues" many others would probably never notice. It can drive you insane, but it can help your kids get the help they need. Or if you are brave, help friends' children get the help they need, but THAT can be dicey very quickly.
As a special ed teacher, the importance of documentation is drilled into one's head early in one's career as well as the need to have measurable goals. One can't just write "Student will behave better in class," what does "behave" mean? Throwing pencils in class is one type of behavior, is that what's intended? How was the student behaving? How often? What exactly is better?
One "tool" used to improve documentation and goal setting is task analysis. A teacher or other profession examines the task the student needs to master and breaks it down step by step.

I think I am going to write a task analysis for my children (not the 2 year old)

How to take a shower
1. Gather towel and clothing to wear after the shower (clothing could be pajamas)
2. Use the toilet 
3. Flush & put down lid of toilet
4. Place clothing or pajamas on lid of toilet
5. Place towel on closest towel bar
6. Insure there is a bath mat or other towel on the floor, if not put one there!
7. Turn on the vent
8. Undress
9. Then, and only then, turn water on and adjust to your liking
10. Get in shower stall
11. Make sure to CLOSE the shower curtain
12. Step into water stream, getting hair and complete body wet
13. Step back from stream
14. Use Purpose soap to wash face, rinse
15. Use YOUR soap/shampoo and lather your hair
16. Continue using YOUR soap/shampoo to lather body concentrating on places your skin touches such as underarms and such
17. Step under water stream, rinse, starting with your hair and working down
18. Be sure to rinse places skin touches such as underarms, ect.
19. Turn off water (before it is cold!)
20. Then, and only then, open shower curtain and grab towel
21. Dry hair and body, again starting with hair and working down
22. Hang towel on rack
22. PUT ON DEODORANT!
23. Put on clothing, or pajamas
24. Then, and only then, leave the bathroom, grabbing dirty clothing
25. Place dirty clothing in the hamper
26. Double check to insure you put on deodorant
27. Enjoy being clean and stink free!

I maybe going a bit overboard.